Science and Politics in an Election Year

Science and politics might seem odd partners, but they are intertwined. Candidates' opinions on various policy issues, such as stem-cell research, global warming, drug trials, and technology, affect their success. The electoral process itself includes a variety of scientifically based techniques, including decision making, opinion surveys, and electronic voting machines. Those elected to office hold hearings, appoint advisors, and determine budgetary priorities, including scientific inquiry grants, space travel, and energy resources.

Science NetLinks offers these election-related resources so teachers can show students how science and politics are not unrelated issues, but instead work hand-in-hand, both in the machinations of getting elected and in the work of governing.

 

 

 

 

Science NetLinks Resources

Lessons    Tools    Science Updates
Non-Science NetLinks Resources

 

Lessons

Making Good Decisions

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: K-2
Description: This lesson lets students practice the skill of reasoned decision making and encourages them to anticipate the consequences of their choices.

Bias Sampling

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: 3-5
Description: This lesson demonstrates how the results of a poll or other scientific study can be biased by selecting special types of people to respond or by asking only certain questions.

Opinion Surveys

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: 9-12
Description: This lesson introduces students to factors that can affect the accuracy of opinion surveys.

Science and Elections NEW!

Resource Type: Lesson
Grade Band: 9-12
Description: This lesson examines the science policy positions of the major presidential candidates in a two-part lesson.

 

Tools

The Economics of Voting: What Do You Mean, My Vote Doesn't Count?
Resource Type: Tool
Grade Band: 9-12
Description: This tool is based on an EconEdLink lesson in which students explore the costs and benefits associated with voting in national elections from an economics perspective, especially in regards to voters aged 18–20. The lesson specifically explains the concepts of rational apathy, rational ignorance, and expressive voting.

 

Science Updates

Consensus Model

Resource Type: Science Update
Grade Band: 6-12
Description: This Science Update lets students hear about a recent study that explored how we come to agreements.

True or False

Resource Type: Science Update
Grade Band: 6-12
Description: This Science Update discusses a new study suggesting that correcting false information can sometimes make matters worse.

Opinion Repetition

Resource Type: Science Update
Grade Band: 6-12
Description: This Science Update lets students learn about why hearing one person repeat the same opinion is surprisingly influential.

 

Other Resources

Science and Technology in the 2008 Presidential Election
Resource Type: Website
Grade Band: 9-12
Description: AAAS offers answers from the two major candidates to questions about science and technology, as well as other science-related resources for the upcoming presidential election.

Vote: The Machinery of Democracy
Resource Type: Online Exhibit
Grade Band: 6-12
Description: This exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History explores the act of voting. It includes information on various ways Americans have cast their ballots throughout history.

Elections 2008: The University of Michigan Documents Center
Resource Type: Website
Grade Band: 6-12
Description: This site from the University of Michigan houses documents relating to the current election cycle. Teachers will find a variety of topical policy issues relating to the presidential election, including materials on global warming, energy, and stem cell research. Teachers may also want to point students toward the interactives available under the Campaign category's Gaming options.